ImetelChat

Way back in October 2021, Geron announced an "Investor Day" Conference which highlighted several Clinical Trial Designs - all of which are currently underway. There was another Pre-clinical study in collaboration with MD Anderson in Houston for Lymphoma headed by Dr.Swaminathan Iyer, Professor, Department of Lymphoma/Myeloma, Division of Cancer Medicine, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.......

https://ir.geron.com/investors/press-re ... fault.aspx


Results of this study were to be available sometime by the end of 2022......

"The preclinical program is being conducted at MD Anderson Cancer Center to define the role of imetelstat in lymphoid malignancies. In vitro and in vivo experiments are planned, and the Company expects preliminary results to be available by the end of 2022."

https://ir.geron.com/investors/press-re ... fault.aspx


My question for the board - and most likely Bp in particular, since you have a fairly rock solid memory of these past studies - what were the results?

if I recall they were fairly lackluster and buried in a Quarterly CC PowerPoint slide sometime in early/mid 2023?

Lymphoma encompasses a dozen or more disorders and a huge potential for Geron on multiple levels. It was a focus of Dr. Rizos clinical studies at Janssen.......

"Previously, Dr. Rizo was Global Clinical Leader for the ibrutinib mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) program and was responsible for all MCL studies led by Janssen. During her initial tenure with Janssen, Dr. Rizo worked on a variety of Velcade clinical trials in lymphoma and multiple myeloma."

https://ir.geron.com/investors/press-re ... fault.aspx

Any chance we see Lymphoma(s) as a potential target indication revived, or is it a dead duck in the water. Thanks in advance. -Kmall

Kmall, my read of Dr. Iyer’s 2021 participation in the “investor event” and his subsequent 2022 paper in blood was that the latter was Geron funded and the former a paid, wishy washy event for him. Not surprised his research has taken other directions and would be very surprised, given the lack of subsequent publications by his lab on Imetelstat, that much of a relationship still exists. I think Geron goes fishing periodically (they sure didn’t catch myeloma but tried) and the hoped for lymphoma pursuit has morphed into emphasizing other avenues like AML. Pleas for honesty and transparency with stockholders have gone unheeded, eg the promised update (how many years now?) on the oral telomerase inhibitor program, well you get my drift. I wouldn’t hold my breath. Our best hopes remain with MF, MDS and AML. If one were to ask Geron HR whether any relationship with Dr. Iyer’s lab was active, I doubt we would get a straight (or any) answer.

My now much flawed formerly perfect memory is that the MM data was lackluster at best. If it had been exciting, I would think there would have been more to come.

Your memory is still very much intact, Jay.

Thanks Bp for the recall on that one. I wasn't paying as close attention to company guidance for a good portion of 2023/2024. Obviously Gerons focus should be on those studies underway or pre-designed at this point unless an outside sponsor was looking to pick up the ball. Wishful thinking on my part that perhaps that Pre-clinical study had a glimmer of promise in it somewhere. -Kmall

Unfortunate ain’t it that the company can dangle a carrot but never is under any obligation to tell shareholders when it becomes compost.

Lymphoma publication from 2022....
https://ashpublications.org/blood/artic ... etelstat-a

Oh, now I remember. Made absolutely no sense to me.

Hoosier - very much appreciate the abstract dig!!

I actually found it quite interesting and although it was a Pre-clinical study with preliminary findings, there were several nuggets in there that perhaps may warrant further research, as this abstract suggests in conclusion:

"While in PTCL (peripheral T-cell lymphomas) cell lines, the activity of imetelstat was enhanced when combined with SAHA (Suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid - Vorinostat). In the lymphoma landscape, telomerase may be a therapeutic target for ABC-type DLBCL (diffuse large B-cell lymphoma); the novel telomerase inhibitor Imetelstat may present one of the potential treatment options."

Obviously Geron's focus should remain on the current indications ongoing in Clinical Trials, however, it may be something a sponsor would consider, especially given it's activity was "enhanced" when combined with Vorinostat. Just something to ponder as we play the never ending waiting game. -Kmall

The waiting game is so enjoyable and so much fun. 5yrs seems like yesterday…and you know what a lousy day yesterday was.